Education Week’s annual report on the state of American education just gave Michigan a “D” in K-12 achievement this month. Sadly, the grade is well-deserved, given our relative decline on national assessments, and our dismal achievement gaps for African-American students.

So it’s not surprising that education will likely be a key focus on Wednesday, when Gov. Snyder lays out 2013 priorities in his State of the State address.

Here are 10 buzz-worthy education issues to watch in 2013:

1. Who defines “quality” education?

Back in 2011, some Lansing leaders were puzzled when we demanded quality standards for charter school operators wanting to expand in Michigan. Today, lots of folks talk about education “quality.”

Everyone wants to own the “quality” school badge, but few will attach sound research-based strategies to improve student achievement to the label.

More than two decades of research in Michigan and nationally reveals what “quality” reforms truly help students – and which are political smoke. Here’s hoping real reforms trump politics this year.

2. School Finance:

Gov. Snyder’s administration is expected to lead efforts to overhaul school finance. The debate has only begun, with questions remaining about whether it would help improve teaching and learning in our state. We’ll be working hard to answer these questions.

3. Accountability for Charter School Quality:

Charter schools have been proliferating across Michigan following the 2011 removal of the state cap. That’s good and perilous news. We’re hopeful philanthropic efforts to create high-performing charters will succeed.

Amber ArellanoCourtesy photo

But low-performing charters threaten the future and stability of high-achieving schools, whether they are traditional public schools or quality charters. Expected 2013 legislation would effectively lift the cap on so-called cyber schools, despite the dismal performance of existing full-time Michigan cyber schools.

This is one of Michigan’s greatest present challenges to raising educational performance in our state. It must be addressed.

4. Supporting & Evaluating Educators:

Teachers are the most important in-school factor in student achievement, so ensuring they receive the feedback and support they need to excel is essential. Yet Michigan has struggled to support educators.

If done right, this system has great potential for raising achievement. Lawmakers are expected to act on these recommendations in 2013.

5. Common Core:

Education leaders in at least 45 states, including Michigan, have come together to approve rigorous Common Core State Standards in math and English/language arts. Teachers will cover fewer topics, but will be able to teach them more deeply than ever. Expect more news on how schools are preparing for Common Core. Big changes in our state assessment, the MEAP, also are in store.

6. Education Achievement Authority:

Two developments expected this year. First, renewed legislation would expand and codify the EAA to improve Michigan’s lowest-performing schools.

A Senate plan set sound requirements for EAA schools to take part in state assessments and teacher evaluation reform. Second, the education community is eager to see how EEA schools in Detroit performed in their first year.
7. The “Metrics” Debate:

As Michigan residents and education leaders grow more interested in school accountability, special interest groups -- namely, those who represent the adults in the education system -- will want to create their own criteria for how to measure student growth and educator effectiveness.

They’ll need to be reminded: Michiganders need an independent actor, such as the state, to define these measures.

8. “Scarlet Letter” Teacher Policy

Should teachers’ individual performance ratings be publicly released? A lame-duck bill tried to do that, and it could resurface in 2013. Essentially placing a scarlet letter on teachers’ backs won’t help them improve. Let’s leave this approach where it belongs: centuries behind.

9. Budget Cuts and Fair School Funding

With more cuts being discussed, school budgets will continue to be strapped. In working class and low-income communities such as the Grand Rapids Public Schools and inner-ring suburbs in West Michigan and Detroit – where an eroding tax base already is hurting schools, among other problems – cuts are particularly painful. Alongside questions on fair funding, we must discuss how to better use existing school resources.

10. State’s Role in Improving Low-Performing Schools

State leadership is essential to closing achievement gaps – and that role goes beyond the EAA. The state’s role will be increasingly debated in 2013 as the Michigan Department of Education does more to report on school achievement gaps in Michigan, and lawsuits raise questions about this role.

We’re working with other organizations on the question of the state’s responsibility for chronically failing schools and underserved students.